Pig Team

Richard joined the practice from Liverpool University in 1993 with an already well developed interest in pigs. For the past 10 years he has worked almost exclusively in the pig sector developing his interest in outdoor production, gilt breeding, health surveillance in the abattoir, and medicines. He currently sits on the NPA Allied industry Group Committee, British Health Scheme Steering Group and is a Director of the George Veterinary Group.

Fran is a dairy farmer’s son from Renfrewshire in Scotland. He qualified from Glasgow Vet School in June 1990 and started work at The George Veterinary Group in August of that year. Initially he worked as a mixed practitioner and then increasingly in the large animal department as the business became more specialised. Fran is a Director at The George Veterinary Group and has responsibility for the pig and farm animal departments.

His main interests lie in pig production systems and he provides an advisory service to clients with all types of pig breeding, rearing and finishing businesses predominately throughout the South and South West of England (from Cornwall to Staffordshire and Sussex to Leicestershire). He also advises pig businesses throughout Ireland.

Annie qualified from Glasgow University in 1997, and joined the George as a pig practitioner in August of that year. Her main areas of interest are farm health and welfare, and the improvement of pig fertility on farm. She has become heavily involved in the continuing development and education of farm workers and managers, performing a key role in on-farm training schemes. She has previously been President of the Pig Veterinary Society.

Alex qualified with Honours from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003 and joined the practice that same year. She devotes all of her time to pig health and production and was appointed Clinical Director here in August 2017. Her daily commitments cover all stages and types of production including routine and emergency work.

Other professional interests include delivering education programmes for stock people and biosecurity. Alex completed General Practitioner Certificate in Farm Animal Practice in 2006 and in 2011 passed the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Pig Medicine. She was awarded the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Pig Medicine in 2016.

Roger joined us after being the principal pig vet at the Wood Veterinary Group in Gloucester. He has run the Gloucester Pig meeting for 35 years and is a well-respected practitioner and speaker, providing lectures for Universities and for the PVS John Walton days. Although Roger's main passion has been in dairy work he is one of the last true all-rounders; with an enthusiasm undimmed by age which has inspired many vets and clients.

Roger joined us as a consultant. Primarily he services his existing client base, as well as strengthening our team with a new "old head" among us.

Anne qualified from Leipzig University in Germany in 2005 and developed her interest in pigs while working with sows doing her doctor's degree at the Veterinary University of Hannover at the Institute of animal nutrition. Since then she focused on working with pigs receiving her German specialisation in swine in 2013. For the past ten years Anna worked mainly as a pig practitioner but also spent time working for the local veterinary office as well as for a pharmaceutical company in Germany.

Strengthening our numbers to meet the increasing demand, Claire joined the team in Autumn 2018. Having previously seen practice with the team during studies, Claire graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in July 2018. After graduation she completed a two month internship at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, specifically working within the Food Safety and Zoonoses department with a focus on antimicrobial resistance. Shortly before joining The George, Claire completed her Army Reserve training to qualify her as a Military Protection Dog Handler - a role that she will continue alongside her position here at the practice.

Tom graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2019 where he developed a budding interest for pig veterinary work, after seeing practice and completing his final year elective with The George Pig Practice this grew further. He has always had an interest in farming and has spent most of his summers during university relief milking cattle and goats on local farms. Outside of veterinary work his main hobby is training for and racing in triathlons, running or cycling!

Angie has worked for The George Veterinary Group for over 30 years in all areas of the Practice. She has been the Pig Practice co-ordinator for more than 20 years now.

Angie works from the main practice building in Malmesbury. She is responsible for the general day to day management of the pig office including organising farm visits, drug orders and processing feed prescriptions.

Maria's role is office-based and complements Angie's. She joined the practice in Oct 2013 and her skills as an audio typist are invaluable to everyone in the team. Between Maria, Andrea and Jo there is a full complement of administrative support to Angie and the busy practice.

Andrea started with the Pig Practice in December 2013. Her role in the team dovetails with Maria and Jo, providing assistance to both clients and the veterinary team on the telephone or when they're in the office. Andrea lives locally and was already a client of the small animal practice when she saw the role advertised.

Since November 2017 Andy has been picking, packing and dispatching medicines all across the UK from our main Dispensary in Malmesbury. He works closely with Bridget who looks after the majority of the Farm and Equine orders, and in tandem with Kirsty Reeves to ensure our Clients get their orders promptly, however large or small they are!